Carrying case - Plantronics and others would like to discuss "new/innovative":

http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/voyager-legend-case

(I know that this product is not specifically music-oriented, but the operation principle is there still).

Like with most things Apple, they don't necessarily create the first product in a space, but they define the category by refinement of user experience and inventing the necessary tech to support that.

This Plantronics case isn't that great. You have to open it with two hands in front of you, and carefully place the awkwardly shaped headset in. You probably have to look at it while doing so. It's rather large, and the clear plastic cover looks like it can break pretty easily. It's also only one ear, and it's a $30 accessory.

The AirPods can be opened one-handed while in your pocket, and you can place them in without looking. They're also smaller, the case looks quite a bit more durable, and they work with the charger you already have as an iPhone user (lightning). The AirPods and case were designed with a broader UX scope - the entire user experience, from opening to listening to putting away - as one unified product.

The process that most hardware teams typically take is more narrowly focused on the core product hardware, rather than the entire scope of its use. If Plantronics had designed their headset with a broader UX scope in mind, they probably would have designed the headset itself differently, because its awkwardly shaped and hard to store. Instead I imagine they optimized the headset design for solely when its on-ear, and then asked how they could make a case for that shape. Such are the little differences that distinguish between regular products and category-defining ones (see also: iPod with iTunes).

Indeed. The fact that the first use experience is (from what I've heard) the very best pairing experience for any bluetooth headset ever tells that story quite well (all thanks to Apple's proprietary W1 chip, of course).

I've got a pair of Bose QC 35s and though their pairing experience is standard annoying bluetooth pairing, their support of multiple devices/easily switching between them is the best I've seen in bluetooth headphones I've purchased. The AirPods are, apparently, comparable to the Bose in this regard, with a better onboarding experience.

"The fact that the first use experience is (from what I've heard) the very best pairing experience for any bluetooth headset ever tells that story quite well (all thanks to Apple's proprietary W1 chip, of course)."

From who? They're not available, not even any pre-release reviews around.

Beats headphones with the W1 chip in them have been available since the the iPhone 7 release. I am, admittedly, assuming that the AirPods will be as good at this as the Beats headphones with the chip, but I believe that's a reasonable assumption.

I own that. It's not these.

>• Smart switching between multiple devices logged into iCloud. You need only pair with one of your iCloud devices and the rest will auto pair.

Genuine feature, and a neat one at that. Previously I had to rely on stuff like NFC or saved pairs, which is still more than 1 pair.

>• Auto-pause when removed from ears.

Also a genuine feature. Takes some real thinking to make that a priority in the UX.

>• Auto-mono when only one is in your ear.

Is that really a feature? I mean I guess that's cool, but it seems like a play on the previous feature sensing if in use or not.

>• Carrying case that charges them rapidly and keeps them safe in your pocket.

This is a necessity rather than a feature per say.

Wired headphones don't need to be charged. Wireless headphones with a headphone port for backup also don't require a charge.

Most modern headphones are a single unit, so they don't need a case to be kept from getting lost.

That said, many have cases to keep them from getting tangled or damaged in transport, the latter which is true for the airpods, however if your case were damaged, so is your charger.

> If these turn out to have the same issues, I'll gladly report how inaccurate Apple's marketing was and how disappointed I am.

If they have the same issues as other Bluetooth devices, hopefully you find out about it before you spend your money on some expensive tech.

>Is that really a feature? I mean I guess that's cool, but it seems like a play on the previous feature sensing if in use or not.

I think the distinction is that its not just turning off one of the phones. Its switching from stereo to mono so you can still hear everything you previously required both sides of the stereo mix (left + right) for. Definitely not a big jump from the other feature, but still goes to show how they are thinking about the small details.

That's true, it shows some attention to detail in the UX of the device.

I don't think however people were having a "crippled" xp when using just one wired earbud in "mono" rather than "combined stereo"

I think the feature really should be "senses when individual pods are in use" and because of that feature, some automatic tasks can be applied like combining stereo or pausing the music.

I guess I am just complaining that it feels like they used one feature and got two marketing points out of it, which is fair game.

I haven't even seen them market that point (the auto mono feature), I read it in the Wired product review.

Do you actually have them in hand? How is the sound quality? What headphone did you use before the AirPods and are they better or worse in terms of sound quality?

I'm probably not switching soon because I love my Atomic Floyd's sound quality (don't get me started on their customer service) but I'm just curious how they did with the sound quality aspect, which feels like the most important thing to me.

Random question: is the earbud size and shape the same as old wired Apple earbuds?

I've never been able to use the traditional wired Apple earbuds because my ear is too small and they start hurting after 5-10 mins of use.

Sorry, edited my post after I realized I said AirPods and not EarPods. I don't have a pair. I would imagine they will be the same. Which is my hope because the EarPods fit my ears perfectly... I have pretty big ears (not sure if that typically translates to ear holes), which caused more than a little fun poking back in school, but apparently they are a good size for Apple's design spec. Take that BILLY you little jerk!

A long long time ago, I loved the feel of the earphones. They came with one of the first gen if ipod.

Then at some point the design of the earphone changed and I had the same problem as you ever since:-( I was quite disappointed at the time

I have nil fashion sense, but I think the single-ear Lt. Ohura look is much better than headphones with the wires hanging. But I only like them for voice conversations.

Auto-pause when removed: my old Plantronics did that.